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Tom and Emma Hawkins talk love, life and lockdown

Tom and Emma Hawkins talk Covid, footy, their plans for the future and how much they’ve learnt in love, life and lockdown.

Geelong star Tom Hawkins, wife Emma and their two children Arabella 4 and Primrose 2 years old. Picture: Rebecca Michael
Geelong star Tom Hawkins, wife Emma and their two children Arabella 4 and Primrose 2 years old. Picture: Rebecca Michael

As they enter their mid-30s Tom and Emma Hawkins are realising how much they’ve learnt in life, love and lockdown.

Parenthood fits like a glove for the high school sweethearts as they joyfully watch their daughters, Arabella, 4, and Primrose, 2, grow up with cheeky and bright personalities.

The Geelong forward and his businesswoman and influencer wife are blossoming more as a couple by the day as they continue to support each other in football and business.

And with years of experience in both their respective fields the pair has matured with a sense of purpose and relished the unexpected chance to grow together – last year it was months inside the Queensland hub, and this year for much of it at home under Covid restrictions.

Picture: Parenthood fits like a glove for Tom and Emma. Jerad Williams
Picture: Parenthood fits like a glove for Tom and Emma. Jerad Williams

COVID LIFE

“We navigated it all much better this year than I would say last year,’’ Emma says.

“I was a bit more prepared this time around for Tom to leave which ultimately he did (before finals).

“A lot of other working mothers could relate. Working from home with two children and not knowing if and when Tom was going and trying to be as organised as possible had its challenges.

Last year it was just something that was very new to us and I think we’ve all done a really good job with adapting. Even though I found it tough at times with two young kids on my own, even as a football fan, I was grateful to have entertainment and something to look forward to on the weekends.”

Tom Hawkins with his daughter post-game.
Tom Hawkins with his daughter post-game.

Tom adds: “We weren’t alone right across all industries. The last 18 months has been a real challenge. Em hit the nail on the head — it certainly had its challenges. We didn’t travel interstate as a playing group but it didn’t make Emma’s job any easier at home trying to navigate through a season program that was quite flexible because we didn’t know where we were going to be playing more than one or two weeks out.

“Everyone has certainly played their part. (AFL CEO) Gillon (McLachlan) and his team at AFL House have done a wonderful job. Clubs internally have done a wonderful job but I think players have done a really good job of accepting a certain way of living.

“There’s 800 players and there’s always going to be some slip ups but we were pretty much Covid free from what I can understand.

“We were grateful for the opportunity to go to Perth. My mindset was we were going over there to do a job and that didn’t come to fruition, but we will have another go at it next year.”

Hawkins with his daughters ahead of his 300th game.
Hawkins with his daughters ahead of his 300th game.

TOM’S 300TH GAME

Tom admitted he was shattered not to have family by his side as he became only the sixth Cat to hit the milestone. It played out in Adelaide, against Port Adelaide in the qualifying final at the end of August.

“I left not knowing a time frame but also with a heavy heart,’’ Tom says.

“I wasn’t able to have Em and the girls and family and friends there. I saw it last year with some of my teammates and it didn’t make it any easier.

“We did what we could. We had the girls on FaceTime as I ran up the race. I was going to take them onto the ground and give them somewhat of an experience of what the atmosphere and the crowd was like.

“It was sad but it didn’t take away from me enjoying the week and hearing from a lot of people and savouring the moment. I’m sure there’s going to be an opportunity in 2022 where we can celebrate not only my milestone personally but some of my other teammates and players right across the competition.”

Emma feels nothing but pride in Tom’s career.

“Every milestone from his 50th to his 100th, I just thought it was the most amazing thing,’’ she says.

“I remember his 200th we celebrated Arabella’s christening. I was thinking that’s phenomenal and you’ve worked so hard, and we’re so blessed, and we’re such a good team and partnership together.

“When he got to 300… we haven’t even really reflected on it but it means so much to him and his family. Tom’s grandpa on his mother’s side Fred Le Deux played 18 games of footy for Geelong and his dad (Jack) played 187 and Tom 300 so between Tom, his grandfather and his dad, they hit 500 games.

“Tom brings so much joy to his family and his friends and it’s been such a treat to be on this ride the whole way through. We are all so proud.”

Hawkins has a soft spot for the cattle on the 160 acre property they call home.
Hawkins has a soft spot for the cattle on the 160 acre property they call home.

FARM HANDS

The family is relishing time together at home but also missing some nearest and dearest with their parents over the border in New South Wales.

“We had a little holiday a few weeks ago and we asked Belle what her favourite thing is and she just said hanging out with you guys,’’ Emma says.

“It’s lovely to be at home and we have the luxury of having a bit of space and it’s a beautiful time of year. It is wonderful to have some time together just the four of us.”

Tom is tending to their 160 acre property on most days, which is likely to be their forever home. He has a soft spot for his beloved cattle.

“I‘ve got a beautiful balance between working both at the Football Club and working here at our place on odds and ends and I feel like I’ve always got something different going on and it keeps me mentally active and fresh so I take a lot of enjoyment out of that,’’ he says.

“We’ve got cattle that calved in the Autumn so it’s a matter of keeping an eye on them. At this time in spring everything starts to explode. The grass grows and there’s a lot of maintenance. There’s not too much really hard farming done on my behalf, I love the cattle. We had cattle sheep and crop at home in Finley growing up and to me the cattle is what I know best.”

The couple support each other through ups and downs in football and business. Picture: Nicki Connolly
The couple support each other through ups and downs in football and business. Picture: Nicki Connolly

KEEPING IT REAL

Emma and Tom maintain a huge following on social media and it’s largely because of their authenticity. Emma particularly uses Instagram to great effect with her work. She has a Ceres Life capsule collection out in November and her Homegrown Kids label is now into its sixth collection with Christmas pyjamas and dresses for girls in the pipeline.

“I love balancing work and family life,’’ she says.

“My work provides an outlet for my ambition and creativity. I have really enjoyed working together with the Ceres Life team to create a collection that I believe is inclusive and reflects all women. Homegrown just celebrated its second birthday and I couldn’t be more proud of how far we have come and the growth the brand is experiencing. It’s truly very exciting times with both brands and I really feel like I’m finding my groove.”

Emma says if you take advantage of social media it’s a powerful tool.

“Years ago I saw the marketing movement that was heading there and I really focused in on the business side of things,’’ Emma says.

“I think definitely the word influencer can have a negative connotation but I personally don’t see that at all. It depends on who you’re following and what you’re following. The beauty of the tool is everyone has the power to follow whom and what they like. It’s a media you consume that you have complete control over which is really powerful for both the consumer and the advertiser.

Tom and Emma Hawkins in holiday mode with their daughters.
Tom and Emma Hawkins in holiday mode with their daughters.
Tom and Emma Hawkins. Picture: Instagram
Tom and Emma Hawkins. Picture: Instagram

“I’m really enjoying still being active on it and I’ve grown up in my 20s and 30s on the Instagram app and my interests change. It’s not just about producing content but it’s about getting into the nitty gritty behind the content and coming up with more creative ideas.”

Emma knows well that it can be an unhappy place with the rise of online bullying and trolls, but she has created a positive community.

“I hope the generation of my children are just so educated that it doesn’t affect them,’’ she says. “I’ve seen a decline in online trolling for sure. Or maybe I’ve just blocked and deleted everyone so much. Tom wouldn’t blink an eyelid. I’ve seen some of the DMs he gets and it’s brutal. But if you disconnect yourself it means nothing. I don’t have time for it, it’s wrong, but if your job is about being on social media then unfortunately you have to detach yourself from it.

“It is a lot of people following and consuming but you grow with the app like anything and you use it to your advantage.

“I have been an oversharer since I was in primary school. I can talk through a brick wall so it’s worked really well for me. I really enjoy the community on it. I have mainly lovely women who follow me because they’re interested in what I post. I reply to them all on DMs, if it’s about the Housewives of Beverly Hills, or my kid has a tantrum; it’s like a common focus group.”

The couple haven’t ruled out having more children.
The couple haven’t ruled out having more children.

THE FUTURE

Tom is contracted to the Cats until the end of next year, taking him through to a 16th season on the back of a rich vein of form.

“I’ll be 34 next year and I love doing what I’m doing,’’ he says.

“I still feel physically able and mentally fresh. We’ll continue to look to play beyond 2022. I see the enjoyment I get out of it but that’s nothing compared to what my family and my two children are starting to experience as they understand it a bit more. I’m well aware that at 33 currently I’m not going to be able to play forever.

“Emma and I, we have a wonderful relationship, we bounce off each other really well and I’m supported by friends and family across the board.

“I really enjoy the opportunity of the off season where I have a bit of a break but then keep pushing forward from a fitness and physical side. Then also mentally just developing myself for my next phase of life whatever that may be, I’ve got a few irons in the fire that I’ll continue to work and develop on. In my eyes I’m going to change career paths at 34, 35, maybe 36. There lies a challenge in itself but at this stage I’m enjoying developing myself and in the background just having an eye on what’s next in life.”

Emma hasn’t ruled out having more children but they are in no rush.

“I always thought we’d move back to Melbourne straight after football but Tom has converted me, I love Geelong,’’ she says.

“I always dreamt after footy we’d spend a bit of time overseas with a young family but the beauty is I think we’ll be happy anywhere, particularly if we stay here. We’ll be doing something different which is exciting and not many people can say that.

“I had difficult pregnancies so it wasn’t a pleasant nine months for me. Never say never, and we are so beyond grateful we have two healthy girls. Like Tom has to prepare in the off season I’d have to prepare for a third baby.”

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Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/lifestyle/tom-and-emma-hawkins-talk-love-life-and-lockdown/news-story/eec458951872bfe88e087b7a83415d96